Instead of student loan forgiveness, why can’t we have this?

[Anonymous]

Totally hypothetical here, but…

What if all public colleges and universities had a “basic version” or “no-nonsense version” without all the fancy extras? I truly believe that higher education is a good thing, and being well-rounded and well informed as well as knowing how to think critically is important. It’s also supposed to be the great equalizer, the thing that levels the playing field. I hate how the cost of big-name schools automatically puts kids with rich parents at an advantage when choosing schools that offer more prestige and more connections and career placement opportunities. I also don’t think kids should be financially punished for going out of state. What if someone from a backwater red state wanted to move where jobs and opportunities are, or somewhere with more diversity?

Instead of these huge cost disparities, what if every prospective student had an option: expensive tuition and fees with all the bells and whistles, the fancy dining halls, the swimming pools and lounges, all the luxuries; and then a basic option that just pays for classes, simple dormitories (that have heat and a/c and meet health codes of course, but no other amenities), library access, a limited food stipend, and access to some common rooms for student-run extracurriculars? No crazy state-of-the-art facilities. What if someone just wants a rigorous education and career placement opportunities, but doesn’t want to pay for a four-year country club membership?

[Anonymous]

Two tier system for the poors and the rich kids at the same school? How about everyone gets everything at state schools and they owe 1-2 years of public service. Like the GI bill but not armed forces.

[Anonymous]

Seems complicated. Just make community college free.

[Anonymous]

What if we just go back to funding our colleges like we used to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if we just go back to funding our colleges like we used to?

+1

[Anonymous]

Your plan is not practical but I too have often wished that each state were somehow required to have a 4-year option that it invested in but kept costs low - in line with what state tuition used to be. Wouldn’t have to be the state flagship but another school that each state prioritizes. I think the demand would be great enough to drive up stats and make these schools very competitive.

A theoretical example: Virginia could continue to run UVA as-is, but JMU could be $10k a year for room and board. I think kids would flock to attend.

(I realize this won’t happen but it is my pipe dream).

[Anonymous]

So build a micro society of The Haves and The Have Nots and the Nots know that they are the less privleged, they can’t access the same eateries and places and hangouts as the Haves, in essence they are not really permitted to socialize connect with or become peers with the Haves, so the Nots exist on the margins of the society. Hmmmm what could be wrong with your concept…..

[Anonymous]

Free community college is where we need to start

[Anonymous]

Because the loan servicers and the universities need to make lots of money. This is another sector where getting money out of politics would benefit actual citizens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally hypothetical here, but…

What if all public colleges and universities had a “basic version” or “no-nonsense version” without all the fancy extras? I truly believe that higher education is a good thing, and being well-rounded and well informed as well as knowing how to think critically is important. It’s also supposed to be the great equalizer, the thing that levels the playing field. I hate how the cost of big-name schools automatically puts kids with rich parents at an advantage when choosing schools that offer more prestige and more connections and career placement opportunities. I also don’t think kids should be financially punished for going out of state. What if someone from a backwater red state wanted to move where jobs and opportunities are, or somewhere with more diversity?

Instead of these huge cost disparities, what if every prospective student had an option: expensive tuition and fees with all the bells and whistles, the fancy dining halls, the swimming pools and lounges, all the luxuries; and then a basic option that just pays for classes, simple dormitories (that have heat and a/c and meet health codes of course, but no other amenities), library access, a limited food stipend, and access to some common rooms for student-run extracurriculars? No crazy state-of-the-art facilities. What if someone just wants a rigorous education and career placement opportunities, but doesn’t want to pay for a four-year country club membership?

That plan is fraught like elementary schools in DC that have two aftercare programs...the almost free one run by the city where kids are plopped down in front of a movie every other day attended by poor children of color and the "bells and whistles" aftercare that costs a ton but if full of enrichment. Another example are the highway lanes reserved for only those who pay whatever the day's rate is. Bad idea, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Free community college is where we need to start

I would argue free community college and a renewed emphasis on trades and technical schools. The U.S. is losing all its trade talent because for the last two generations there's been this mantra of "everyone should go to college." Not true then. Not true now.

[Anonymous]

Or how about making students accountable for the amount of money they take out that is intended for actual school expenses. Lots of student loan debt is for money spent on delivery pizza, cell phones and nights out.

[Anonymous]

I'm glad your plan gives the poors heat and air conditioning.

[Anonymous]

I say get rid of BS classes, aka core classes.

What do you really need to be an accountant? It’s not all 120 credits.

[Anonymous]

The fancy stuff isn't what made the colleges expensive--it's what colleges did to attract students in a competitive marketplace. And alum like to donate for the sports and the gyms and the like more than other things. Big costs are research libraries, research equipment, updated classroom spaces, health insurance, administration to deal with ever-increasing regulations/liabilities, support staff needed for the wider array of students going to college (lot easier to educate just UMC kids with adequate resources in the past than a greater swath of the population that attends now). US colleges are highly regarded around the world, we should recognized the public value they hold and just fund them the way we used to.